Former Clemson stars assist new fundraising initiative

Former Tigers athletes will help auction NFL and golf outings and even a safari to help a Clemson scholarship program.

Oct 20, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter of a game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports(Photo: Robert Mayer, Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports)

CLEMSON – Short of scientific manipulation of time and talent, this is the best opportunity most Clemson fans will get to sample the professional football experience.

Fans can secure an all-access pass in Nashville, Tenn., with Tennessee Titans and former Clemson football stars Charlie Whitehurst and Coty Sensabaugh or get the red-and-blue carpet treatment at a Buffalo Bills game with former Clemson running back C.J. Spiller.

Those experiences – and several other expeditions – will be auctioned during the One Clemson Main Event, a fundraiser scheduled for 6:30 to 9:30 Thursday at the One Building in downtown Greenville.

"We built this around spring game weekend," Clemson senior director of development Donna Dant said, alluding to the spring football game scheduled for Saturday in Memorial Stadium.

"There will be a lot of former athletes back on campus," Dant said. "They've been telling us that they are more interested in what's happening at Clemson as a whole."

The auction will encompass a wide range of adventures, from a golfing trip with former Clemson stars Charles Warren and Ben Martin to an African safari.

Tickets for the event are $100, with $25 benefiting the One Clemson scholarship initiative. This event is part of Clemson's The Will to Lead capital campaign aimed to raise $1 billion to support Clemson students and faculty with scholarships, professorships, facilities, technology and enhanced opportunities for learning and research.

"The Clemson alum is a special person," Dant said. "I've worked at other universities and actually grew up with a father who was a professor, so I've been around academia for a while. They are just so loyal to the university.

"They already believe to some degree in supporting both sides of the university, the academy and athletics, but the idea of how they integrate the two is new, and most of them are excited about the ability to do that. They don't feel like they're giving in silos as much any more. It's really been neat."